NATCHITOCHES – The start of any new season naturally brings about a new level of optimism.

But with 20 starters returning from a team that won three of its final four games last season, there's a reason for the optimism at Northwestern State.

Though the Demons were picked to finish fifth in the Southland Conference, the fact they finished 6-6 last year for their first non-losing season in five years gives them a positive outlook that they can do much better than that in the always competitive conference.

"We're just ready and excited," said second-year coach Jay Thomas, whose team began practice on Tuesday. "The players have a different intent about them right now. They're very workmanlike, businesslike and committed to what we're trying to get done."

Thomas' message of hope and optimism certainly filtered down quickly to his players.

Imoan Claiborne(Photo: Courtesy)

"We're a very strong, confident team," said Imoan Claiborne, a senior cornerback from Alexandria and a preseason all-conference selection.

"We're all really excited for the season and to have a successful year," said senior center Austin Douglas, whom Thomas called "the bell cow" of the Demons' offensive line.

Senior running back Garrett Atzenweiler, who led the Demons last year with 526 rushing yards and five touchdowns, said he has high expectations for NSU's offense, which returns eight starters, including record-setting senior quarterback Zach Adkins.

Garrett Atzenweiler(Photo: Courtesy)

"From the way it looks, we're gonna have a great run game and great pass game," Atzenweiler said. "We're gonna complement each other and mix it up."

CONCUSSION CONCERNS: NSU's fall sports teams got a special visit on Wednesday from one of the nation's leading experts on concussions in athletics.

Dr. Julian Bailes, an Illinois neurosurgeon who played football at St. Mary's and NSU, visited his hometown this week on vacation and dropped by his alma mater to share a few words. A leader in brain trauma research, Bailes has worked with the Pop Warner youth football league and served on several NCAA committees in advancing concussion awareness.

Bailes said there's no more important issue facing football right now than concussions. However, he said the concern spans well beyond football, or even men's athletics. Women's soccer, hockey and basketball players also are at high risks for concussions, he said.

"I think other sports need to pay attention and other sports need to do everything they can ... so that all sports can be around for new generations to enjoy," Bailes said.

One of the big debates in college football surrounds the pace of play on offense and the increasing number of plays in games. Alabama coach Nick Saban and Arkansas coach Bret Beilema are two of the most outspoken critics. Bailes said he can understand their concerns.

"Certainly the more plays, the more potential you have for injury," Bailes said. "... Pace of play and the number of plays is a very legitimate safety concern that should be considered."

Bailes was on an NCAA committee that several years ago limited the amount of time teams can practice in full gear, in an effort to "limit unnecessary contact."

Thomas said he backed off the number of practices when he was at Nicholls State about a decade ago, and he's shortened practices in order to limit the number of "contact reps" players take in a day. He said it's a delicate balance finding the right amount of hits players need to improve and what number is too many and can lead to injuries.

That number at NSU, especially for linemen and linebackers, is roughly 35 per day.

STILL SWARMING: New defensive coordinator Mike Lucas, who coached against NSU for 26 years as a defensive coordinator and head coach in the Southland Conference, said he has great respect for the Demons' "Purple Swarm" tradition on defense.

The Demons will continue that this year, and he plans for them to play "with a calculated violence" by continually chasing the football.

"Our definition of swarm is either you're on the pile or sprinting full speed to it," Lucas said. "We're not gonna accept anything else."

PERSONAL ATTACKS: Claiborne said he understands how good the Demons' offense can be. Adkins is back after setting seven school records, including single-season marks for passing yards and touchdowns, and he's got a number of weapons at running back and receiver back as well.

However, that doesn't mean Claiborne wants them to do well in practice. He admitted that he takes it personally when the offense moves the ball against the Demons' defense in practice.

"Them catching balls means we're not doing our job," he said.

EXPECTATIONS ALL AROUND: It's not just the football team that's excited in Natchitoches. All of the school's fall sports have high expectations.

The volleyball team, which finished second in the Southland Conference last season, will host the conference tournament this year and expects to make the NCAA tournament. The Lady Demons have all seven starters back, including five seniors (and a junior) who have been with coaches Hugh and Stephanie Hernesman for the past three years as NSU has completely turned around its volleyball program.

NSU won three games and had an RPI of 290 prior to the Hernesmans' arrival. Last season, the Lady Demons went 21-12 (15-3 in the SLC) and moved into the top 100 in the nation. The goals are even higher this season.

"If you ask our girls," Hernesman said, "they're gonna tell you it's our year — but a lot has to happen for that to come true."

The Lady Demons soccer team returns seven starters, including six seniors, from last year's team that narrowly missed the conference tournament. Coach George Van Linder said that disappointment has driven his team during the offseason.

"As difficult as it was for us to just miss the conference tournament, it might be better for us," he said.

NSU returns four of its top six scorers from last season, including sophomore forward Brooke Eastburg. Senior forward Yanci Johnson, a former Natchitoches Central star who has 12 career goals, returns for a fifth year after tearing her ACL in the second game of last season.

"I was crushed," Johnson said, "but at the same time I felt like I was cheating the system because I get another shot."

Cross country coach Mike Heimerman said the Demons and Lady Demons should be much more competitive this fall than they were last year.

Six freshmen will join the Lady Demons, while four newcomers will join six returners on the men's side.